Barely 18 kms from Dharamshala, Kangra is the perfect weekend getaway for tourists and explorers alike. This small bustling city hides away quite a few marvels within its Dhauladhar Ranges. Those looking to nestle amidst its simplistic beauty must make it a priority to visit Pragpur village, which is India's only heritage village, a place with an allure that can only be compared with those colourful little European hamlets one has only seen on TV or in children's books.
Another not so well known gem in this city is the Masroor Monolith Rock temple, which is an 8th century archeological wonder made of a group of 15 temples carved out of rock, with a pond in the foreground. A location that remains a favourite with tourists is the Kangra Fort, with ramparts over a 4 km stretch protecting it, atop a hill at the conflux of Patal Ganga and Banganga river.
A 200 metre walk up the road from the Kangra Fort is all that is needed for those wanting to delve more into the city's history, where they shall reach the Maharaja Sansar Chand Museum, which provides an insight into the luxurious lifestyle once led by the Katochs, the erstwhile Kangra Royal family. Adventure seekers will love the various treks that go through the Dhauladhar Ranges usually ending near the Chamba valley, providing picturesque views.
The city houses some of the most charming little cafes that to every book worm's delight have a shelf full of books and cook everything from Himachali, Italian and Tibetan cuisines on the menu. Some renowned cafes and restaurants are Moonpeak, Peace Cafe, Nechung Cafe, Snow Lion Cafe, Jimmy's Italian Cafe and Indique, wherein one can also enjoy live music nights.Read More

Barely 18 kms from Dharamshala, Kangra is the perfect weekend getaway for tourists and explorers alike. This small bustling city hides away quite a few marvels within its Dhauladhar Ranges. Those looking to nestle amidst its simplistic beauty must make it a priority to visit Pragpur village, which is India's only heritage village, a place with an allure that can only be compared with those colourful little European hamlets one has only seen on TV or in children's books.
Another not so well known gem in this city is the Masroor Monolith Rock temple, which is an 8th century archeological wonder made of a group of 15 temples carved out of rock, with a pond in the foreground. A location that remains a favourite with tourists is the Kangra Fort, with ramparts over a 4 km stretch protecting it, atop a hill at the conflux of Patal Ganga and Banganga river.
A 200 metre walk up the road from the Kangra Fort is all that is needed for those wanting to delve more into the city's history, where they shall reach the Maharaja Sansar Chand Museum, which provides an insight into the luxurious lifestyle once led by the Katochs, the erstwhile Kangra Royal family. Adventure seekers will love the various treks that go through the Dhauladhar Ranges usually ending near the Chamba valley, providing picturesque views.
The city houses some of the most charming little cafes that to every book worm's delight have a shelf full of books and cook everything from Himachali, Italian and Tibetan cuisines on the menu. Some renowned cafes and restaurants are Moonpeak, Peace Cafe, Nechung Cafe, Snow Lion Cafe, Jimmy's Italian Cafe and Indique, wherein one can also enjoy live music nights.

The last major spot before Dharamshala, Kangra is a small town in Himachal. Located perfectly in the midst of popular tourist destinations including Mcleodganj, Bir and Billing, this lovely town is a dream to visit.

I started my day from Mcleodganj took local bus to Kangra (Dharamshala City). I visited Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association which is near Kangra. This stadium has a lively view of cool blue sky and surrounded by snow-caped mountains of Dhauladhar. On our way to Mcleodganj we came across St. John Church which is also one of the tourist destination in Dharamshala. Church is covered with lush green trees of Deodar. Parking is the pain here as the roads are too narrow and small. Eye candy for nature lovers.

A perfect combination of ancient and urban, this city has been deemed the most futuristic in the country, while also having been occupied by the Harappan civilisation almost 8,000 years ago.
In fact, BBC has named Chandigarh as a perfect city with regard to its cultural growth, modernisation and architecture.
Nek Chand Rock Garden is a unique and fascinating site, built solely by a man (after whom the garden is named), who used remnants from various demolition sites (particularly the debris while Chandigarh itself was being built) and a whole lot of scrap to build 2000 sculptures, statues, all integrated on walled paths, wherein one can also see man-made interlinked waterfalls.
A short walk away from there is the artificial Sukhna lake, a landmark for families to relax and walk around while enjoying street food and keeping kids busy with quaint toys bought from vendors all around.
Pertaining to Le Corbusier's (chief architect of the city) vision of Chandigarh being a garden city, Rose Garden is home to over 1,500 varieties of rose and the Garden of Fragrance is perfect for those mind-refreshing walks.
Popular places to visit for an insight into Chandigarh and the entire country's history through various artworks are the Government Museum & Art Gallery and the Chandigarh Architecture Museum.
Being one of the top four metro cities of the country, Chandigarh has a bustling food scene, home to every cuisine you can think of right from Mediterranean (Kelong, Virgin Courtyard) to Thai (Tao- Bar & Lounge). Some popular places for Punjabi dishes are Punjab Grill and Sher-e- Punjab.
Chandigarh is also close to many hill stations such as Solan, Kasauli, Shoghi and Naldehra.Read More

A perfect combination of ancient and urban, this city has been deemed the most futuristic in the country, while also having been occupied by the Harappan civilisation almost 8,000 years ago.
In fact, BBC has named Chandigarh as a perfect city with regard to its cultural growth, modernisation and architecture.
Nek Chand Rock Garden is a unique and fascinating site, built solely by a man (after whom the garden is named), who used remnants from various demolition sites (particularly the debris while Chandigarh itself was being built) and a whole lot of scrap to build 2000 sculptures, statues, all integrated on walled paths, wherein one can also see man-made interlinked waterfalls.
A short walk away from there is the artificial Sukhna lake, a landmark for families to relax and walk around while enjoying street food and keeping kids busy with quaint toys bought from vendors all around.
Pertaining to Le Corbusier's (chief architect of the city) vision of Chandigarh being a garden city, Rose Garden is home to over 1,500 varieties of rose and the Garden of Fragrance is perfect for those mind-refreshing walks.
Popular places to visit for an insight into Chandigarh and the entire country's history through various artworks are the Government Museum & Art Gallery and the Chandigarh Architecture Museum.
Being one of the top four metro cities of the country, Chandigarh has a bustling food scene, home to every cuisine you can think of right from Mediterranean (Kelong, Virgin Courtyard) to Thai (Tao- Bar & Lounge). Some popular places for Punjabi dishes are Punjab Grill and Sher-e- Punjab.
Chandigarh is also close to many hill stations such as Solan, Kasauli, Shoghi and Naldehra.

After 6 hrs, I reached Chandigarh and I was waiting for bus the to Mcleodganj and before boarding on that bus I purchased some junk food to conquer my hunger.It had been 45 minutes since I reached there and I saw a dilapidate bus coming towards the bus platform but i ignored until it stopped in front of the Mcleodganj board. I rushed to to catch that bus and I was fortunate to have a seat as it was crammed. As the bus engine roared to life for Mcleodganj I was also super excited to be there. After few miles I dozed off and I woke in the middle of night and I witnessed the most breathtaking view from the window of the running bus. It was like Stars on Earth. Just in few minutes I fell asleep.

I just transformed myself as bagpacker and ran towards Gurgaon bus stand to mounted on a bus to Chandigarh. As it was not scheduled trip i looked the detailed chart of bus service on net ,as would luck have it i got the bus.It was an awesome journey upto Chandigarh but i was palpitating to get there as my bus leaving road ribboning behind me.Eventually, i reached to my destination, Chandigarh, I congregated with my other cronies who had formed a clique and were waiting for me.I greeted them and just rushed to catch bus for Shimla. During the my way to Shimla i come across some amazaing sights which had not bargained on.I chanced upon to places like Parwanoo, Barog valley, Sanjauli , Shoghi ,fagu Khatlee ghat railway station and ice on on cake was the TOY TRAIN; just right along with the bus and it was reminiscent to part of one's film shoot.At Last we de boarded the bus at Shimla ISBT. We took a small break to douse our starvation and jumped to another bus which led to kinnaur enrouting Narkanda.The bus was packed like a suitcase but somehow i maintained my cool and after 2 hrs and I reached Narkanda, truly heaven.

Chandigarh has been rated as the wealthy city in India, it’s known as one of the best experiments in urban planning and modern architecture in the 20th century in India. The city is divided in 56 sectors each measuring 800 meters by 1200 meters having all modern facilities. The most modern city of India is now on path of becoming a 'Smart City'.

I took the bus to chandigarh at 5:30 PM to chandigarh and reached the chandigarh are around 7:30 Pm and i got a call from my friend that car has broken down so don't go to the bus stand and come to this specific place.Finally we met and we managed to get the car repaired till 9:30 pm and we had dinner and then we left for shimla.As soon as we entered the hilly areas i could breathe so much of fresh air and we had tea at one of the dhabas. Tea in mountains has always got a special taste and this tea was also with great taste.We reached shimla around 2:30 AM.Now we searched for a hotel but that didn't work out because we needed the parking and yes budget was also one of the constraint and we saw some agents there and we made one of them to sit with us in the car and we had to go to 5 -6 hotels before some hotel finally had a room available with parking near mall road and that to a little bit over our budget but we finally made a decision to stay in that hotel as it was already very late and in the meanwhile when we were searching fora hotel.I was asking each and everyone about chadwick falls and it was really strange for me that none from the hotel staff knew about it and we finally had some rest.

Day 1: New Delhi to Chandigarh (4 Hours; Distance Covered: 244Kms)Before I left home, if there was one thing I was sure about, it was - I am going to move slow; this was to enjoy every movement and to keep my butt away from getting sore. Day 1 started a little early - at 4 in the morning, and I found myself driving on a perfect highway which gives you the freedom to do over 100 kms an hour, and reach Chandigarh from New Delhi (about 250Kms) in less than four hours - if your engine has the power. Bikes go a little slow, but even an average of 50kms an hour lets you crash at someone's gate under 5 hours. Night 1 turned out to be the only night, in the entire journey, when I did not have to bother pitching my tent.Day 2: Chandigarh to Arphu (7:30 Hours; Distance Covered: 206Kms)

We reached Chandigarh by evening. We had heard about Chandigarh being a beautifully planned city, Also it has been awarded as the cleanest city in India, and indeed it was. The city is very very spacious, as a person who stays in the congested city, Mumbai, felt Chandigarh be a Ghost City. Along the 6 lanes 100 ft main road, there is 25 ft of pathway consisting of 5 ft of cycling track, and then 50 ft of parking space, before the residential complex starts. The entire city is geometric in space divided into rectangular shaped sectors. You can reach anywhere in the city by taking 90-degree Left-Right turns. This reminded Bandi of Harappa Civilization, the level of planning Chandigarh administration has done is commendable.

Chail has slowly gained popularity as a weekend getaway in Himachal. Away from the chaos of Shimla, this lovely town is home to the highest cricket ground in the world (a great sight even if you are not a cricket fan). The popular Chail Palace built by the Maharaja of Patiala is the perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon. Do carry a picnic basket since food here is slightly expensive.
Unlike Shimla, Chail is a quiet town without a mall road or fancy restaurants. What you will certainly get here is a variety of homestays to choose from and delicious dhaba food. For adventure enthusiasts, there are tons of trekking routes; some of the more popular ones are Kandaghat – Chail, Chail – Rajgarh and Chur Chandni and Chail – Shimla via Junga. Do ask the locals before planning your trekking routes since they know the area the best. Read More

Chail has slowly gained popularity as a weekend getaway in Himachal. Away from the chaos of Shimla, this lovely town is home to the highest cricket ground in the world (a great sight even if you are not a cricket fan). The popular Chail Palace built by the Maharaja of Patiala is the perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon. Do carry a picnic basket since food here is slightly expensive.
Unlike Shimla, Chail is a quiet town without a mall road or fancy restaurants. What you will certainly get here is a variety of homestays to choose from and delicious dhaba food. For adventure enthusiasts, there are tons of trekking routes; some of the more popular ones are Kandaghat – Chail, Chail – Rajgarh and Chur Chandni and Chail – Shimla via Junga. Do ask the locals before planning your trekking routes since they know the area the best.

Do you happen to love cricket? If yes, then this Shimla itinerary has been tailored just for you. Chail boasts of world's highest cricket ground and given its scenic backdrop it is a must visit for you.

The place is known as the summer capital which is located 49 kilometers away from Shimla and it appears as a peaceful and calm place because it is far away from Shimla’s hustling- bustling life. Chail is located at a higher altitude than Shimla and it is very close to Kandaghat Mandal and due to this, people can enjoy the glance of the snow covered Himalayan ranges as it is mostly visible during the sunrise and sunset. This hill station is well known for its remarkable history. It is said that in the late nineteenth century, his highness of Patiala, Maharaja Adhiraj Bhupinder Singh was expelled from Shimla, which was then known as British Raj’s summer capital, because he was said to be flirting with the daughter of British Commander-in-Chief Lord Kitchener. He then promised to build his own summer capital. Chail is called as the perfect village surrounded with thick, gigantic and majestic deodar trees and soothing scented chir pine forests. This village is like the Mother Nature’s most beloved child and this place has never been heard of any deforestation and pollution ever.
Chail has a very beautiful feature and well known as an architectural palace where the Patiala’s royal family used to live and now this heritage property has been converted into a hotel named as ‘Palace Hotel’. This palace is surrounded by lush greenery and hills and beautiful gardens with swings and beautiful flowers. We sat in the garden for few minutes under the sun and then we went inside for tea break. We saw the interiors which had a collection of old depictions like old paintings, show pieces, etc. Chail is also a favourite honeymoon spot as this slice of heaven has the magic to turn people into a poet and transforms into the most romantic person.
On 11th April 2006 - We came across the ‘Green valley’ road, which is been surrounded by deodar trees. This road is also known as ‘Hasan Valley’ road as this valley is related to a sweet story. It is said that ‘Hasan’ is the name of a driver who used to drive on the roads of this valley for the tourists and who has been of friendly nature with the tourists. It is been said that the driver ‘Hasan’ was in love with a beautiful girl who used to love him equally and she was considered precious to him for her love and care. But her sudden death left him alone and since that day, the road has been given another name as ‘Hasan Valley’.

Best time to visit - January,February,March,April,May,June,October,November,December

Once known as Shyamala, synonymous with Goddess Kali, Shimla has been a summer retreat long before India even gained independence.
This famous hill station similarly has a lot of places and things to see untouched by time. For instance, take a vintage joy ride from Kalka station to Shimla in a charming toy train that will take you through towering Deodars, hills and villages. Shimla truly comes alive during winters when a blanket of snow covers it all over making every nook and corner gleam and glisten. One such place is the ice skating rink (natural ice) near Lakkar Bazaar that opens from November to December. More winter sports include skiing, which can be enjoyed 21 km from Shimla in Kufri. Adventure activities such as rafting at Tattapani or a trek to Shali Tibba and Pabbar Valley are also worthwhile experiences.
If you are fond of haunted stories and interested in having your own spooky adventure, you'll love Shimla. A lot of people including the renowned Rudyard Kippling (in 'My Own True Ghost Story) have written various eerie stories set around Shimla. A place known most for giving many people the jeepers-creepers is the Charleville Mansion.
Another time travelling portal is the antique bookstore, Marina Brothers, located on Mall Road, which is truly a reader and collector's paradise.
There are many luxury and budget hotels here, meaning you'll never fall short of options. Popular places to eat include Wake & Bake, Ashiana, Cecil and Minchy's that serve commendable Indian and multi-cuisine dishes and delicious gourmet food.Read More

Once known as Shyamala, synonymous with Goddess Kali, Shimla has been a summer retreat long before India even gained independence.
This famous hill station similarly has a lot of places and things to see untouched by time. For instance, take a vintage joy ride from Kalka station to Shimla in a charming toy train that will take you through towering Deodars, hills and villages. Shimla truly comes alive during winters when a blanket of snow covers it all over making every nook and corner gleam and glisten. One such place is the ice skating rink (natural ice) near Lakkar Bazaar that opens from November to December. More winter sports include skiing, which can be enjoyed 21 km from Shimla in Kufri. Adventure activities such as rafting at Tattapani or a trek to Shali Tibba and Pabbar Valley are also worthwhile experiences.
If you are fond of haunted stories and interested in having your own spooky adventure, you'll love Shimla. A lot of people including the renowned Rudyard Kippling (in 'My Own True Ghost Story) have written various eerie stories set around Shimla. A place known most for giving many people the jeepers-creepers is the Charleville Mansion.
Another time travelling portal is the antique bookstore, Marina Brothers, located on Mall Road, which is truly a reader and collector's paradise.
There are many luxury and budget hotels here, meaning you'll never fall short of options. Popular places to eat include Wake & Bake, Ashiana, Cecil and Minchy's that serve commendable Indian and multi-cuisine dishes and delicious gourmet food.

Delhi - ShimlaSo finally it was happening, after a year of reading and researching about Spiti with a fail attempt to make it worse, I was sitting in the auto to Kashmere Gate and hoping this time it's a success. I was late and had to call for the bus to wait 5 minutes as I procrastinated the whole day and got ready late in the evening, but, the people were kind enough to wait!____Probably slept for a couple of hours in the entire bus journey as the excitement was just increasing. Reached Shimla around 5am and had to wait for 4 hours to catch the bus to Kalpa!

Gaziabad to Shimla around 380 km - 8 hours journey - Two road options, one from Meerut and other from Panipat. Both are good roads. I personally used Panipat road, excellent high way good for eateries (specially good quality of oranges find on the road side sellers).

And while riding I will speak to roads and said "I will definitely came back because I know that is lot many you want to say to me, for the sake of conversation i ll be there again soon"
This is the all time favorite question by traveler friends and colleagues. They often ask me "hey Nick. What your budget?" "How many Bucks you have this time?" "Please don't say wallet less" This type of question i go through most frequenty on my facebook page nickthevagabond and that's the reason I have to make it clear this time about our budget and how we manage.
The only thing which I don't like about solo traveling that its almost double expensive then if you go with the group. Yes when you were travel with group everything divides like hotel rent, you can share a cab, share the food, sometime I share the Ice-cream too. So if you travel with the group of 2-3 people it will probably half your budget.
Our budget is very tight it doesn't means that we skip our dinner or lunch, or we sleep on the roads. No nothing like that happen we are always have a choice to save or spend.
we stay in total 5 Dhabas, 3 hotels and you didn't believe one hotel is three star which is at Pokhara(Nepal) which is the most expensive one but actually the fact is that, Pokhara is our last destination in Nepal and we already save a lot of Nepalese currency. As we plan to spend all the Nepalese currency into the Nepal itself. So we took a amazing hotel and it's too very cheap i.e. 700 Nepalese rupees i.e. around $12. And we did Rafting, and ate special Nepalese sea food and even they didn't know the name it doesn't matter, I am so Hungry at that time, so least Interested in having a name of the dish which i am eating. (but it was good)
After crossing the border we stick to our Budget and proud of ourself. But at Lucknow there is a place called Tunde kababi(a famous restaurant ), it's the most Famous for Tunde ke kabab, Beef, biryanis and many more, its a restaurant in the messy street of Aminabad, Lucknow.
Never ruin your Travel experience, for the sake of fucking money. "Money" that we ll make it. But we never be able to make those moments which we leave for that fucking $10 to $15 or $50 sometimes.
So at last we are happy spending and it don't matters whatever our Budget is but one thing I would like to say that we didn't miss anything accept the Para gliding at Pokhara, but there is always a next time.
Nepal does not have a distinct cooking style. However, food habits differ depending on the region. Nepali food has been influenced by Indian and Tibetan styles of cooking. Authentic Nepali taste is found in Newari and Thakai cuisines. Most Nepalis do not use cutlery but eat with their right hand.The regular Nepali meal is dal (lentil soup), bhat (boiled rice) and tarkari (curried vegetables), often accompanied by achar (pickle). Curried meat is very popular, but is saved for special occasions, as it is relatively more expensive. Momos (steamed or fried dumplings) deserve a mention as one of the most popular snack among Nepalis. Rotis (flat bread) and dhedo (boiled flour) also make meals in some homes.

6. Shimla Civic Centre, Himachal Pradesh – The pretty side of our colonial pastWhen the British turned their attention to Shimla as a potential summer retreat, a slew of colonial style buildings were erected which gave the town its unique look. This included the Christ Church, the Telegraph Office and the greystone Town Hall. But over the years, unplanned development and lack of proper maintenance has turned the colonial hill town into an urban eyesore, which is sad because otherwise it is a picturesque place. The Civic Center in Shimla is one of the four Indian buildings to be featured on World Monuments Fund's "at risk" list.

I boarded a bus to return to Shimla (not to Kufri, of course) and reached there around midday. The poor research before undertaking this little expedition of sorts had already given an unpalatable experience. And all I wanted to do was to rush back to Delhi for some peace of mind and also for equipping myself with the relevant information before I go on to travel afterwards.So, I booked a Volvo ticket for returning to Delhi from the Shimla bus stand.Since there were over three hours before the bus would leave, I thought of visiting Shimla’s Mall Road, the only place that I was familiar with. I booked a cab to go there. The very sight of Mall Road lifted my spirits so much so that my entire stress and exhaustion of the preceding day and night frittered away.There was a sense of freshness in the Mall Road and its surroundings. There were ice cream parlours, fine dining restaurants, benches where tourists can sit and relish the panoramic beauty in the backdrop. The place was a little crowded but being a Delhiite, the over-populated places make us rather feel comfortable, and not out of place.Visiting around the Mall Road was the only time when I felt like staying back for a couple of more days. But I wondered that it would be unwise to do so when I already had booked the ticket and the bus was set for departure in a couple of hours from then.After spending around two hours in Mall Road, I telephoned the cab driver and boarded the cab to return to Shimla Bus stand.As the Delhi-bound bus rolled on, I looked back in the direction of Mall Road thinking that I must return to the hill town later on for a relaxed, stress-busting and most importantly a well-planned holiday, preferably with a friend (s) to make the most of my travel.

We hired a room for 2 days and for market hopping fo exploring culture. Narkanda is not huge but it has something which makes it aloof from others.After hopping we got in touch with a resident of it and explored inside the woods for 4 hrs and it was just incredible.We just went berserk post beholding a mesmerising view of flora and fauna and we had not intention to leave that jubliant jungle.But we had lots more to visit.It came to our attention on the very next day that there a peak called Hatu Peak , which open only for 5 sundays in a year and that sunday was one of it .Hatu peak is a temple devoted to Ravana's Wife Mandodri and it is belief that by heart whatever you hankers for definated she will cater you.That's it ,Our face lit up with hope and we trekked to hatu peak which 7 kilo meters Stretch during the course with met with some awestruck cliffs and winding road accompanying Oaks ,pine and Deodar trees and it was supreme.After reaching to Hatu peak,we prayed there ,took the offering and witnessed how does it feel to be at highest peak of district ?. It was cold ,spine chilling weather and we were tanned badly but that did not deter our spirit.After admiring the breeze there we headed towards our last task that is meeting localites. Localites we so warm by nature there techniques were ancient to boil water , paid visit idyllics abodes and a local govt. school and it was awesome.As we were getting late ,we just landed at our room.Last night of our unplanned and wanted to make it memorable .

Shimla:Is the capital and largest city of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The major attractions include the Viceroy Lodge, the Christ Church, the Jakhoo Temple, the Mall Road and the Ridge, which together form the city centre. The Kalka–Shimla Railway line built by the British, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also a major tourist attractionAfter reaching shimla in evening we went for the market stroll. Visited the city centre ,had some snacks and took some photographs and headed to our hotel "Pahuna Upvan" located on outskirt of Shimla by 8:30 pm and reached by 9:30 pm.Pahuna Upvan: A standard accommodation hotel. The finishing of room interior were amazingly done to give a luxurious feel. The room was on second floor and hence had an atic space for extra bed with amazing view outside. The staff of hotel were very warm and were serving us with hospitality beyond the fees charged. Yummy dinner was served. Not known to many but definitely a place to stay while you are in Shimla.Crashed on the sight of bed and woke up early morning at 6:00amDay 2: Shimla- Narkanda- Rampur- Sarahan- Sangla- RakchamDistance: 304 KmsTravel Time: 14hrsThis day was one of the longest travel day as we were suppose to drive 14hrs with in between sight seeing timeOur first pit stop for the day was Narkanda

As planned we left the hotel early at 4 am in the morning and started riding in the dark. The roads were better now but that wouldn’t reduce the 700 kms that we had to travel in 11-12 hours in hand. So we rode continuously apart from stopping at a place or two where the flock of cattle stopped us. We planned to reach Shimla which was 350 kms away by 9 in the morning. We rode continuously for around 4 hours until the bike started making weird noise after crossing Rampur. We stopped to check and found out that 4 of its spokes had given up. After trying our hands we realized that there was not much we could do about it and had to go to the nearest mechanic’s shop which was 10 kms away. He checked and said that he did not have the spokes but he could repair so we could continue. By then it was 10 and there was no more chances that I could make it to the joining in my new office. So I informed the same at my office and they were okay with me joining the next day. That was a huge sense of relief for both of us and now our target was to reach our home somehow in one piece. The bike was repair after almost 2 hours and resumed riding. The feeling that we were leaving the hills saddened us but we were more excited to get back home, take a fresh shower and have a short nap. So we kept on riding through the plane roads of NH-22. We passed different people, different villages, the sun shining high on us and reflecting mountains waving us goodbye. The roads just led one to another and we kept on riding. Our next stop was at a dhaba near Shimla at around 3 pm. We were hungry and starving so literally attacked the roti and tarkari and finished them in a moment. After 15 minutes we were on the roads once again. We were back into civilized people and polished roads. As we crossed through the crowd of Shimla, we saw people who looked very beautiful. Men and women alike had sharp features and they were all pink in color. We being boys somehow managed to pull our eyes of the girls and concentrated on riding. After few further hours of continuous riding we were tired now. It was getting dark and we wanted to leave the hills before it got darker. But it seemed unending now. The same hills that we were craving to see and feel while coming were becoming tiring now. We were continuously looking for the milestones which were marked as Chandigarh and rushing past them. At round 7 the hills had ended, we had left the amazing Himachal. We were now just seeing flashing headlights of cars and speeding through when our bike suddenly started making noise once again. We immediately got down and realized few more spokes had given up. Our hooligan was now tired and started giving up after the whole terrain. So we went to the nearest mechanic and got to know that he wouldn’t be able to repair it. Also he informed us that the nearest mechanic was nothing less than 15kms away. So we ourselves managed to put the spoke in some shape and started riding. After almost 10 km the bike started slipping so stopped and found out that the tire had punctured. It was 9.30 in the night and half of the shops had closed by now. I got down and my brother started walking the bike. We were searching everywhere for a mechanic but half of them were wither closed or not able to repair a royal enfield. After almost half an hour we finally found a person near Pinjore who was ready to repair. So after further one hour we were set with 10 spokes of our rear tire removed. We resumed our ride without any second looking back. Now we were doing a speed of 100 km/hr on an average and our destination was looking close as we were continuously passing several vehicles. We were passing the milestones in hush and home was looking closer. After a moment as we were crossing Punjab. We were hungry enough so chose to stop at a dhaba and have two big glasses of Lassi as we wanted to have dinner only at home. As we resumed I was enjoying the last few hours of our ride as I closed my eyes and a strong gush of wind hit my face. We were dominating the roads, our spoke-less ‘Hooligan’ was back into form. He was dipping the big Lorries and they were continuously allowing him the main road to rule on. After this event continued further for an hour or so we were now left with the last 100 kms. But as they say good things don’t continue for long. It was close to 12.30 in the night and the bike started vibrating once again and we found out that it was punctured for the 3rd time in the day and in a bitter situation than ever. We were standing by the side of the road as there was not a single person whom we could ask where the nearest mechanic was. So after standing there pointless for 5 minutes we started walking. The road was leading us nowhere. We were clue and idealess regarding the needful when we saw a small light at a distance. We went near and found a police person who took us to nearby mechanic where some were already drunk and some were WIP. One of this guys who was WIP introduced us to the mechanic whose eyes were already red and was about to fall. We showed him the puncture and the broken spokes and he straightway rejected the proposal of repairing it and got slapped by the other guy. In no moment we had become best friend to the WIP guy and he looked to have taken an oath to get our bike repaired. His name was Bhanu and ensured us that he would see that the bike is repaired by any means. As we were talking, another guy came from the shop and started offering us drink. As we refused his hospitality increased by a level and he offered us tea from the nearby dhaba and instructed one of his friends who had fallen asleep to bring two glasses of tea. He introduced himself as Mahavir, brother of Bhanu and bebrothered us as well. As series of universal brotherhood went on we could see that the mechanic was sitting and drooling holding the punctured rear wheel with the set of toolbox which he hadn’t touch yet. As Bhanu and Mahavir started introducing themselves we found out they were rugged son of rich local Hariyanwi farmers who did nothing apart from drinking during the night and sleeping during the day. As Bhanu started taking selfies with my brother, Mahabir started showing me pictures in his mobile in which where somewhere he was holding a revolver, somewhere he was hitting others. After a moment the tea came for us and we wouldn’t complain that we were not enjoying their company apart from the fact that our bike was not touched yet. As we informed Bhanu about the mechanic not doing his job he went ahead and slapped the mechanic once again and instructed him to repair. Now the mechanic seemed to put some attention to the bike. Sometimes we exchanged numbers, sometimes we heard rap composed and sung by Mahabir for us, sometimes they saw pictures of our ride. As this quandary continued for half an hour more, the bike’s tire was out of its realm and the mechanic after continuous effort was unable to take out the tube from the tire. So Bhanu was angry once again and now slapped a 10kg hammer over the tire. As he was returning after taking the tube out of the tire the mechanic informed us that the tube had a big hole which couldn’t be fixed anymore. We would have to get a new tube now at 1.30 in the midnight in some distant village of Haryana. We were getting disturbed and nervous, fun was over for us but we couldn’t do anything to help ourselves. Bhanu tried getting the tire from somewhere local but the results were obvious. After few more hours of this chaos we had lost all hopes and the mechanic had informed that the tire could only be fixed in the morning. So we requested them to somehow make us reach home and Bhanu offered his uncle’s car. So after paying Bhanu’s uncle a hefty amount of money we finally reached home with an incomplete ride and humongous amount of crazy memories that we only could cherish and look forward to once again all our lives.

We started our journey by boarding a train from Delhi to Kalka. From Kalka we took a taxi to reach Shimla where we relaxed overnight. Next morning we began our bus journey to reach Tosh, a beautiful and scenic village. There were two reasons of doing so- one of course to stay and explore the village; secondly Tosh is just 3 kilometers away from Barsheni, base camp for starting Kheerganga trek.

Best time to visit - March,April,May,June,July,August,September,October,November

Kasauli is a small hill station in the Dhauladhar Hills of Himachal Pradesh, set up by the British during their peak time in India.
This small town usually serves as a passageway to the hill stations higher up in Himachal (Shimla and so on), but makes for a quick one-day getaway destination for the people living in Delhi NCR and Punjab.
Kasauli is for those who enjoy picturesque walks amidst Deodars, such as on the Gilbert Trail, and stunning views such as that of River Sutlej, from Manki Point. Some other sights include Gurkha Fort, Baptist Church and Christ Church. You can even take a tour of the oldest extant distillery for scotch whisky in Asia, the Kasauli Brewer.
Kasauli is beautiful to spend some quiet time amidst nature with your family and friends, or just for some introspection.
Cafes such as Hangout - Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, Rudra Cafe and Cliff Houzz Restaurant & Bar make for good stopovers for snacks, drinks and lip-smacking vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Read More

Kasauli is a small hill station in the Dhauladhar Hills of Himachal Pradesh, set up by the British during their peak time in India.
This small town usually serves as a passageway to the hill stations higher up in Himachal (Shimla and so on), but makes for a quick one-day getaway destination for the people living in Delhi NCR and Punjab.
Kasauli is for those who enjoy picturesque walks amidst Deodars, such as on the Gilbert Trail, and stunning views such as that of River Sutlej, from Manki Point. Some other sights include Gurkha Fort, Baptist Church and Christ Church. You can even take a tour of the oldest extant distillery for scotch whisky in Asia, the Kasauli Brewer.
Kasauli is beautiful to spend some quiet time amidst nature with your family and friends, or just for some introspection.
Cafes such as Hangout - Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, Rudra Cafe and Cliff Houzz Restaurant & Bar make for good stopovers for snacks, drinks and lip-smacking vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

13. Kasauli -Kausali is a quaint hill station nestled between Chandigarh and Shimla. If you are looking for a peaceful, romantic weekend, this is the place for you. The lush green hills and cool weather plays perfectly to the mood of the place. Taking a walk along the rows of cedar trees is a great way for couples to bond. If a weekend is not enough, you can always choose to come back here for a longer duration. Image spending time with your beloved in from of the fireplace while an expanse of green pine trees surrounds you. Couples should definitely check themselves into Baikunth Resorts at Kasauli. This eco-friendly resort is perfect for a cozy, uninterrupted romantic weekend away from the city. The resort has a well-equipped spa and a host of other amenities to make the weekend memorable.

A cantonment and a town. 77 km away from Shimla, the cantonment was established in the British era, most probably in 1842. It is a small hill station which offers some magnificent vistas. One can enjoy the walk on the narrow roads of Kasauli, enjoying the serene atmosphere among the beautiful mountains.

If you leave at 4 am, Kasauli is just a 6 hour drive down. You would be there by 10 for a hearty breakfast and a good stretch. And this destination is just a little bit before Kasauli. The Sanawar nature camp. A collection of log huts and tents. On a lush green hill. A very short distance from Kasauli town centre. And with a delicious kitchen, two friendly dogs and the lap of nature. While the place has enough games and physical activities for the high adrenalin family member, for the rest this is just what the hectic week ordered. Wind down with a book, a long walk, your music and just about anything you like to do.

Take a Volvo bus for Solan from Delhi ( Same volvo which goes to Shimla). Get down at Dharampur .
from Dharampur take a taxi for Kasauli. Which will take only 30 minutes(14 Km)
If you want to go by train then take a train from Delhi to Kalka . From Kalka take a taxi for Kasauli.

Amritsar has made a huge contribution to Indian history and is the holiest hub for Sikhs. The name of the city, which means the pool of nectar, is derived from the pool that surrounds the Golden Temple. Though the city is quite congested, it has an air of spirituality and a heart to it.
The stunning complex of the Golden Temple, with the Central Sikh Museum, will surround you with a spiritual energy that is hard to shake off. The gurdwara is located at the nucleus of the lake, which glitters like gold after the sun goes down. At every corner you’ll find devotees who have volunteered for either cooking or cleaning the premise. Eat a free meal at the dining hall and make sure you don’t waste any food.
The Jallianwala Bagh, from the pages of history, comes to life here. The complex, where around 1500 people were massacred, still has bullet marks all over it. A peek into the well, inside which hundreds jumped to save their lives, is sure to leave you feeling uncomfortable.
An hour away from the city is the Wagah Border, where the gates divide Pakistan and India. An evening parade, held before sunset every day, is an experience worth savouring. Amritsar remains incomplete without the lassi with heaps of malai, available almost everywhere. There are endless options to stay in the city but if you want to splurge, consider the Green Acres Haveli and Country Inn Hotels and Resorts.Read More

Amritsar has made a huge contribution to Indian history and is the holiest hub for Sikhs. The name of the city, which means the pool of nectar, is derived from the pool that surrounds the Golden Temple. Though the city is quite congested, it has an air of spirituality and a heart to it.
The stunning complex of the Golden Temple, with the Central Sikh Museum, will surround you with a spiritual energy that is hard to shake off. The gurdwara is located at the nucleus of the lake, which glitters like gold after the sun goes down. At every corner you’ll find devotees who have volunteered for either cooking or cleaning the premise. Eat a free meal at the dining hall and make sure you don’t waste any food.
The Jallianwala Bagh, from the pages of history, comes to life here. The complex, where around 1500 people were massacred, still has bullet marks all over it. A peek into the well, inside which hundreds jumped to save their lives, is sure to leave you feeling uncomfortable.
An hour away from the city is the Wagah Border, where the gates divide Pakistan and India. An evening parade, held before sunset every day, is an experience worth savouring. Amritsar remains incomplete without the lassi with heaps of malai, available almost everywhere. There are endless options to stay in the city but if you want to splurge, consider the Green Acres Haveli and Country Inn Hotels and Resorts.

1. AmritsarFor places to visit in November in India let’s start with the home to the famous Golden Temple, Amritsar. One of the largest and famous city in Punjab situated at the northwest of the state and close to Lahore, Pakistan (only 50 kilometers away) and 30 kilometers away from the Wagah Border. The city is famous for the Golden Temple which is the cultural and spiritual center for the Sikhs and attracts as a tourist destination for the NRIs. Also, with this people will never miss their heavy & delicious delicacies and the Lassi’s at the best pocket-friendly Dhabba’s. This city is also for those who love to shop things like carpets and handicrafts.

A city chiming with the divine ardaas of the Golden Temple, Amritsar is a paradise for random tourists, devout believers, and the countless food-lovers. This city must be visited not only for the beautiful Golden Temple but also to experience the oomph and patriotism at the Wagah Border. Stay at the Golden Temple for free and savor the langar that’s one of the most delicious meals you’ll eat in the city; then take a walk around the Jalianwallah Bagh or scoff at some of the best dhabas and restaurants at inexpensive rates.

Bikaner to Amritsar (Rajasthan to Punjab)We started our day in morning at 8 am. We moved towards holy place to Amritsar through sri ganganagar, Firozpur. We reached Amritsar in night at about 7 pm. We took hotel for 1500. As I heard about Golden temple that we should visit the temple in night so we moved to see the golden color of temple in night. As we entered into the temple it was really peaceful feeling inside temple primes.

jallianwala bagh, Golden Temple, wagah border...
A day in Amritsar well spent...Admired the wagah border parade 'it gives the complete feel of nation..'
Golden Temple..a holy place to be visited by all in there life time..
jallianwala bagh...still we can feel the presence of our national heroes.

Amritsar is a city in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab, not far from the border with Pakistan. The Wagah Border is only about 30 KM's from the city. There are numerous economical hotels available in Amritsar & apart from the Wagah Border other places to visit include - Jallianwala Bagh & the sacred Golden Temple. Amritsar is well connected by road / rail / air from all parts of the country. From New Delhi, Amritsar is about 452 KM's away.

A great city on the border.. Pleasant climate, well mannered people and delicious allo parothas... Thats what its all about this city.... The city has witnessed a historic event during our Independence revolts and at Wagha the patriotic adrenaline rush... and finally at Golden Temple , a feeling of being blessed in many ways....

Best time to visit - January,February,September,October,November,December

Lahore is the intellectual and cultural capital of Pakistan and a journey to this bustling city will remain with you for a long time. From Lahore Fort to the Khizri or the Sheranwala Gate, there is so much to see and do here and it isn't just another run-of-the-mill city in a country.
History, architecture, art and music envelop the city and everywhere you go, there is a story to unravel. You will also have an opportunity to experience exhilarating Qawaali sessions and a tryst with Sufism. Do spend time at one of the city's many rejuvenating gardens and a day exploring the many historical sites that the city is home to.
If you happen to be here on a Thursday, a visit to Wagah border is unmissable. The intensity of the profound ceremony is so deep that it'll demand another visit from you! There is lots for shopaholics here as well, including Anarkali bazaar and the Pace and Fortress Stadium Market. If you have a little space in your itinerary, you can also squeeze in a visit to the largest museum in Pakistan, the Lahore Museum. With a collection of rare art, objects and paintings including the Fasting Buddha of Gandhara.
There is plenty to choose from if you are looking for a decent place to stay including luxury hotels and budget accommodations. Read More

Lahore is the intellectual and cultural capital of Pakistan and a journey to this bustling city will remain with you for a long time. From Lahore Fort to the Khizri or the Sheranwala Gate, there is so much to see and do here and it isn't just another run-of-the-mill city in a country.
History, architecture, art and music envelop the city and everywhere you go, there is a story to unravel. You will also have an opportunity to experience exhilarating Qawaali sessions and a tryst with Sufism. Do spend time at one of the city's many rejuvenating gardens and a day exploring the many historical sites that the city is home to.
If you happen to be here on a Thursday, a visit to Wagah border is unmissable. The intensity of the profound ceremony is so deep that it'll demand another visit from you! There is lots for shopaholics here as well, including Anarkali bazaar and the Pace and Fortress Stadium Market. If you have a little space in your itinerary, you can also squeeze in a visit to the largest museum in Pakistan, the Lahore Museum. With a collection of rare art, objects and paintings including the Fasting Buddha of Gandhara.
There is plenty to choose from if you are looking for a decent place to stay including luxury hotels and budget accommodations.

Jammu is one of the fastest developing cities in northern India. Its Vaishno Devi Temple, which is one of the holiest places for Hindus, sees millions of devotees every year. The city also has many more Hindu temples that are believed to be of significant religious importance, such as Peer Kho Cave and Panchbhaktar temple to worship Lord Shiva.
If you are fond of shopping, Jammu has a number of markets offering shoppers a variety of options. Bahu Fort is another must-visit for its magnificent architecture and overwhelming views of the mountains in the distance. The Bagh-e-Bahu Garden is beautiful at spring time, and even more so because the dazzling river Tawi surrounds it. The garden will take you back to the Mughal era with its lush green surroundings and historic aura. Don't forget to enjoy a meal of kalhadi kulcha at any of the popular dhabas in Jammu!Read More

Jammu is one of the fastest developing cities in northern India. Its Vaishno Devi Temple, which is one of the holiest places for Hindus, sees millions of devotees every year. The city also has many more Hindu temples that are believed to be of significant religious importance, such as Peer Kho Cave and Panchbhaktar temple to worship Lord Shiva.
If you are fond of shopping, Jammu has a number of markets offering shoppers a variety of options. Bahu Fort is another must-visit for its magnificent architecture and overwhelming views of the mountains in the distance. The Bagh-e-Bahu Garden is beautiful at spring time, and even more so because the dazzling river Tawi surrounds it. The garden will take you back to the Mughal era with its lush green surroundings and historic aura. Don't forget to enjoy a meal of kalhadi kulcha at any of the popular dhabas in Jammu!

On arrival at Jammu tawi , you can see a little hustle and bustle of the city life.Pretty guarded though. Instead of loitering around in the city of Jammu, we decided to head straight to valley. So we hired a car and took up the Jammu-Srinagar Highway. With picturesque mountains on one side and trenches on the other, the route surely gives you an adrenaline rush. Yes, there was a jam too. Loads of private cars, corporate SUVs and army trucks, all lined up on a National Highway. On our way to Srinagar, we did have the fortune of eating the famous rajma chawal with a generous portion of ghee and we stopped a cup of tea in the lush greens of Patnitop.

1) Scenic beauty: Nested in the hills of Jammu, the temple — frequented by the thousands of devotees daily — is surrounded by picturesque beauty and natural splendor. In case you want to club your trip to hills with a pilgrimage, especially if you are a north Indian, then there can’t be a better place than Vaishno Devi in Jammu. The verdant hills and cool surroundings will make the pilgrimage memorable.

Day1:
On the morning of 8th June, we took a flight to Delhi and then waited for the night train for Jammu. Having decided to travel at the end moment, we couldn’t manage to get train bookings to Jammu from Mumbai. Thanks to the holiday season, railways had announced a holiday special train between Delhi and Jammu. Our travel company managed to get us 3 berths in that train just in time. Everything fell in place!
Day2:
Morning around 8 o clock, we reached Jammu Tawi railway station. Since we were the first ones to arrive, (rest of the group was coming by train including the tour manager and would reach Jammu in the afternoon) we booked ourselves a prepaid taxi to our hotel- Jammu Ashok.
We took short nap and till then other group members arrived in hotel. After lunch and introduction, we left for some sightseeing in Jammu city.
First place we went to was ‘Bahu fort’ situated on the banks of Tawi river- but on a hilltop. Bahu fort is a simple but impressive structure from outside. According to Wikipedia, this fort is approx. 3000 year old- but was refurbished by Dogra rulers to its present state in 18th century. Except from outside, this fort is nothing like a fort. Today all that’s left inside is a garden and couple of temples- the famous of them being- Bawe wali Mataji ka Mandir. Most of the stuff including wallet and camera is not allowed inside. Although lose money can be carried inside.
Just a few minutes’ walk from the fort is Bagh- E- Bahu garden. There is not much information available as to when was this beautiful garden laid. This garden is designed and laid on the concept of Mughal gardens. Bagh- E- bahu has many characteristics of a Mughal garden i.e. stepped gardens, symmetry, fountains, water streams etc. This garden has two entry points one at the top and one at the bottom (since the garden is sloped) Hence it is advised that you enter through the upper entrance and descend down rather than climbing the steps upwards.
This garden also has an aquarium (near its upper entrance) which has a separate entry fee of Rs. 10 (in 2014). Even though it is called the largest underground aquarium in the country, its quite small and houses mostly small species of fishes. The aquarium itself is shaped like a huge fish which is entered through its mouth.
Our next destination was the famous ‘Raghunath mandir’ in the bustling Jammu market. The temple is heavily fortified and hence NO cameras, cellphones, wallets, bags are allowed inside the temple. Front facade of the temple is quite attractive. Once you enter inside the main gate of the temple, there are many many other temples in this complex. Beware of touts once inside!
Few minutes’ walk from Raghunath temple is another temple called- Ranbireshwar temple. The bazar outside Raghunath temple is worth a stroll. It is filled with shops of dry fruits, sweets and woollens. I also spotted a chat shop diagonally opposite Raghunath temple. I made sure to eat Golgappas there before heading back to hotel.
Another place worth visit while in Jammu is the Amar Mahal palace. This charming palace of erstwhile Dogra rulers is now converted into a museum. Sadly it was closed that day and we couldn’t have a look inside. If you find museums boring, at least go and have a look at the palace’s stunning exterior which is designed in European style.

When you board the train or a Bus from Delhi it leaves you at Jammu. This is just like another city and though would have much to offer we did not stayed here for long as we needed to move to Katra. We did stopped here for the food and the place has a lot of dhabas and local food outlets which will give you the world’s tastiest vegetarian food. The name Jammu has been termed after its ruler who founded it. Raja Jambulochan, founded this city and named it Jambupora which later changed to Jammu. It’s well connected with the Railway station, Bus depot and the airport. You can even drive to Jammu. Since it is also a focal point for the pilgrims going to Vaishno Devi and Kashmir valley as it is second last railway terminal in North India, the tourism flourishes here. If you want to know about the specialities, its sund panjeeri, patisa and its exotic local food — rajma rice. Another specialty of Jammu is kalaadi, which is processed cheese.

The Kashmir Railways: From Jammu to Udhampur
Now picture yourself riding over a difficult, snowy terrain, tracks that took utmost effort to lay but when they were done, they formed the mesmerizing Kashmir Railway, one of India’s most challenging engineering projects!
A journey through temperatures that fall below zero and covers the world around you in white is as beautiful in Kashmir as the same journey in summers where the sun, the lakes and the conifer tress everywhere make a postcard-perfect picture. A train ride anywhere by the Kashmir Railway is an breathtaking experience, and what adds to the fun is- you can pass through around 20 tunnels and 158 bridges across the rivers and valleys of the Shivalik Mountain Range making this even more exciting!